Students step out into the world

Monday

Before accepting their diplomas, members of Canandaigua Academy’s class of 2008 got some words of wisdom Saturday from Old Blue Eyes.

Well, sort of.

During his commencement speech, graduate Nicholas Benivegna channeled Frank Sinatra, dramatically singing a few lines from his 1969 song “My Way.”

“Regrets? I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention. I did what I had to do and saw it through, without exemption. ...The record shows, I took the blows and did it my way.”

Nick told the cheering crowd: “Frankie knows best.”

Just over 300 graduates received diplomas on the stage at the Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center. The rain outside, heavy at times, didn’t dampen the mood under the Shell. Relatives and friends cheered and cameras flashed throughout the ceremony, which was over two hours long.

It was the first ceremony since Canandaigua eliminated its valedictorian and salutatorian honors. That wasn’t lost on young Benivegna.

“We, the class of 2008, are graduating without a valedictorian, which means that there is no one to give the speech about how much fun we had in kindergarten, with our scissors and our glue sticks,” he said, drawing laughter when he added, “This is for the best, as such an indulgence in near-sinful nostalgia does not suit me, and I think I would be remiss to waste an opportunity to make every one of you listen to everything I have to say.”

His speech was filled with one-liners and a message: You only live once, make it count.

“Times have certainly changed since we began our journey together 13 years ago,” classmate Makenna Osborn said. “In 1995, the year that we entered kindergarten, Bill Clinton was serving his first term as president, cell phones were the size of bricks and, believe it or not, had no texting capabilities.”

Superintendent Don Raw had his own reflections about the changes over those years, and for him, it was deeply personal. He told the packed Shell crowd that he had been part of more than 20 commencement ceremonies, each one a profound experience.

“The excitement and emotions have always affected me,” he said, voice wavering. “But it’s nothing like today. I stand before you as a father.”

Indeed, Raw’s own son, Christopher, was among the graduates. When he walked onto the stage to accept his diploma, his father met him halfway, offering an emotional embrace.

Earlier, the superintendent recalled the many milestones of parenthood: reading “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” birthing classes, first words and steps, learning to read. He pointed out the spectrum in the audience, that in the back of the Shell were several young parents chasing tots or cradling infants.

“It wasn’t long ago,” he said, that he and the graduates’ parents “were in the back.”

• Graduation list and photos

- Jessica Pierce

Bloomfield: 'Soak up the memory’

BLOOMFIELD — “It takes a whole village to raise a child,” said Bloomfield Central Principal Nancy Gerstner in her welcome to the crowd at Friday evening’s commencement.

Gerstner listed everyone from families of students to teachers, school administrators, members of the Board of Education, bus drivers and “lunch ladies.”

“See how many are invested in your education?” she said to the 94 graduates in a speech at the CMAC Shell.

In their blue and white gowns, the graduates warmly greeted former high school Principal Michael Reho, who was the honorary commencement speaker. Reho recalled that when they were in sixth grade, the class of 2008 was the first to come up to the new addition of the high school.

Salutatorian Kathryn McGuire admitted she had been anticipating graduation since seventh grade. Classmate Hillary Brown sang Stephen Sondheim’s “Children Will Listen” and told the graduates to “soak up a memory” from the evening.

“Pick something you can remember perfectly,” she advised. “Store it away, take that memory with you.”

School Superintendent Michael Midey told the graduates to have “good yesterdays.”
He said, “Good yesterdays ensure you have a good life.”

• Graduation list and photos

— Laurel Wemett

Naples: ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go’

NAPLES — Robotics and Dr. Seuss somehow managed to be worked into the speeches given to the graduates of Naples Central School.

During a ceremony in the elementary gym, valedictorian Matthew Knauf told how the school’s robotics team, coached by physics teacher Patrick Freivald, shaped his life. “From this scheme of nerds,” he said, he discovered the fun of using math, science, logic and problem-solving skills. “I was able to think more cooperatively, creatively,” said Matthew, who plans to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology to study engineering.

He credited Freivald, as well as Margo Ulmer, whom he had as his 10th-grade world history teacher, for inspiring him.

Ulmer taught him not to judge other people, he said, but to open his eyes and learn about their country, religion and ways of life.

Salutatorian Caitlin Chociej told about how a visit to a kindergarten class changed her life. Caitlin said that in her role as a peer leader, she had gone into the class and decided to take two four-year-olds up on their offer of playing doctor. The boys gave her a full work over, she said, complete with mock blood-pressure checks, shots and a breathing test. Their diagnosis: She had an incurable headache, a fever in her right arm and a sick stomach “from eating too much corn,” said Caitlin, who — at the time — had been getting cold feet about the idea of pursuing a career in medicine.

But when playing doctor finished up with another child offering her a drink that would cure her ills, Caitlin changed her tune.

“They cured me of all the cares of high school,” she said.

She left that kindergarten room “with a lighter step,” said Caitlin, who is headed to SUNY Geneseo to major in biology and pursue a medical career.

If a few four-year-olds can inspire someone to follow their dreams, imagine the influence “63 determined graduating seniors can have on the world,” she said.

In her commencement address, English teacher Sandy Mulligan included in her well wishes a reading of the Dr. Seuss poem “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”

“Honor where you came from, remember you roots,” she added. “You will not always succeed, but hopefully you’ll develop the resilience to recover your balance, and ‘oh, the places you’ll go.’”

• Graduation list and photos

— Julie Sherwood

Marcus Whitman: ‘You are not an accident’

GORHAM — There was an air of expectancy as families gathered with mixed emotions in the Marcus Whitman High School auditorium. Heads turned to catch a glimpse of loved ones as the Senior High Band struck up “Pomp and Circumstance” signaling the commencement march.

Mary Murphy came to see her daughter, Bridget, 17, an honor student and recipient of several rewards.

“If we don’t drown in a flood of tears, we will be doing great,” she said, explaining that Bridget would be attending Fredonia State in the fall.

Julianne Berry, 17, plans to attend Clarkson University in the north country, said her aunt, Cindy Barnoski. “She’ll be $64 worth of gas away — we hope she’s not going to be homesick,” said Julianne’s grandparents, Menna and Jim Berry.

Sandy Sullivan drove over six hours from Massachusetts to see grandson, Mathew Stewart graduate. “Fifty bucks one-way and $10 for tolls, but it was worth every penny to me,” she said.

Kyle Connors’ sister, Stacey German, was proud.

“He’s going to Finger Lakes Community College for conservation,” she said.

“I’m glad with all the go-green-stuff that’s going on now, that he wants to do something to help the environment,” added Debra Conklin, Connors’ mom.

“He writes music, too,” chimed in his girlfriend, Jessica Drumm.

Pat Gopen, Tyler’s mom, was excited. Her son was the recipient of the New York State Lottery Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship and will study business at the School of Management at the University at Buffalo.

“He’s talking about going for his MBA,” she said.

As the commencement got underway, Molly Yarger and Kellie Green led the “Star Spangled Banner.”

“We’re all exceptionally gifted,” said the salutatorian, Kaitlyn Gnage. “You are not an accident, so don’t allow your life to become one. Strive to become men and women full of honor, integrity and kindness. Never let anyone look down on you because you’re young,” she said before 119 diplomas were presented.

• Graduation list and photos

— Michele E. Cutri Bynoe

Palmyra-Macedon: ‘Regret nothing’

HOPEWELL — Honoring and learning from the past and looking ahead to the future were the themes of Palmyra-Macedon High School’s 2008 commencement ceremony Thursday night in the CMAC Shell.

“Today is an opportunity for reflection on times gone by,” said Superintendent Robert Ike. “What I offer now is history. The past urges the future. It’s a new beginning, preparing for changes and the challenges ahead.”

In his address to the graduates, Sen. Michael Nozzolio also offered inspiration from the past that has motivated him to pursue his goals, even through failure and adversity.
The lesson was taught by his football coach, who refused to allow him to concede defeat and told him, “‘No matter how you feel, never give up when you’re near the goal line.’”

Nozzolio encouraged the students to take this guidance that had stuck with him for many years.

“Graduates, it’s your turn to light the flame in others,” he said. “Fortunately, as you move on, you’ll have many opportunities to succeed. You’ll also have many opportunities to fail. I think that’s fortunate. Only those who experience failure fully experience success.”

Valedictorian Alana Koehler followed with her own words of wisdom to her fellow graduates as they prepare to begin the next chapters in their lives.

“Regret nothing,” she said. “There’s something to be gained in any situation if you look for it. The highest level of success you can aim for is happiness. The rest will fall into place.”

• Graduation list and photos

— Erinn Cain

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